94 Indians return from Iraq, nearly 600 to return this week, says MEA

The official pointed out that 12 Indian nationals in Baghdad were issued tickets of which four flew out today itself.

Harjinder Singh who returned from Iraq, with his family members in Khatoli village in Patiala on Monday. Source: PTI Photo

The Centre on Monday facilitated return of 94 Indians from strife-torn Iraq and the number is expected to touch 600 by the end of this week, the MEA said.

Indian officials in Iraq are reaching out to compatriots and facilitating paperwork and ticketing for those who want to return home, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. “The facilitation of Indian nationals in Iraq in areas which are not in conflict zones is now underway,” he said, adding special mobile teams are reaching out to Indians in Najaf, Karbala, Basra and Baghdad, advising them to leave the country.

“The departure of more than 600 Indian nationals will be facilitated during the course of this week,” he said. Akbaruddin also said that 60 Indians from Najaf, 30 from Karbala and four from Baghdad have left Iraq Monday.
Asked about 39 Indians who have been abducted, he reiterated that they were “knocking on all doors”.